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In neurology and neuroscience research, Steady-State Visually Evoked Potential (SSVEP) are brain signals which occur in response to visual stimulation. The paper Novel Detection Features for SSVEP Based BCI: Coefficient of Variation and Variation Speed – written …

In the latest volume of the LiBRI, PhD Cristina Dimulescu, in the article Talk – Creation or Destruction of Meaning, brings into light the dispute that has been caused by the controversial power of the …

The latest volume of the BRAND journal brings a new research where Gholamreza Jandaghi, Kamran Shahanaghi and Hamid Reza Irani study A Framework for Selection of Intermediary in Marketing Channel. This study looks to inspect how organization can …

Modern universities rely increasingly on communication technologies for the educational processes and the management of academic databases. In the paper “Software Application for Disabled Students” the researchers Laszlo Csiki, Andrei Gabor, Marius Popescu, and Antoanela …

The paper written by Răzvan Bogdan from the Department of Computers and Information Technology, Politehnica University of Timisoara, includes a presentation of a modality of integrating Embedded Systems Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) into blended …

Răzvan Bocu and Dorin Bocu from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Transilvania University of Brașov, Romania, wrote a paper on the role of the conceptual invariats concerning the prevention of the artefacts’ obscolescence, …

BRAND journal provides a very interesting article written by Tiberiu Socaciu from Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Faculty of Economics. This article displays a definitive in determining an estimating system’s multi-Heston. Fundamentally, he utilizes the …

Transition from traditional learning to open up education, the equality, openness and access has been reached for all learners without any time and distance limitations. While engaging online learning process, student support is the crucial …

Nadia-Nicoleta Morărașu and Luminița Drugă acknowledge not only the importance and utility of technical translation, but also the risks that this transfer of meaning imply if the translation is not accurate. The two authors aim …

Fingerprint identification is an imperative field in the wide space of biometrics with numerous applications, in various zones such as: judicial, cell telephones, access systems, airports. There are many elaborated algorithms for fingerprint identification, but none …

“Pădurea Spânzuraţilor” written by Liviu Rebreanu is a complex novel whose fundamental theme is the inner conflict. The paper Obsessive Contradictions in ”Pădurea spânzuraților” written by Florentina Gabriela Stroe is aimed at highlighting the protagonist’s struggle …

BRAIN: Social Media as Medical Validator

The electronic word of mouth (eWOM) is a communication form adapted to the digitalized world of today where persons that never met communicate in an impersonal manner. The paper Social Media as Medical Validator written by Laura Broasca, Versavia-Maria Ancusa and Horia Ciocarlie aims to explore the receptiveness towards a negative bias in health-related electronic Word of Mouth.

The researchers point out that when evaluating the credibility of the eWOM we should take into account that social factors play an unexpected role, as most people use personal details and peripheral cues, not a clear, logical, fact-based judgement to reach a conclusion. And yet, the credibility of the traditional information sources is surpassed by that of eWOM.

Google trends comparison between vaccine-related search words

To conduct this research the authors used a controversial, yet well-known subject, with enough relevant information available both in the scientific and social forums. Vaccines fit these requirements very well, given that their effectiveness is highly debated and people are strongly divided into two opposing categories.

Broadly, this analysis reveals that the influence of some non-scientific alarmist opinions is definitely visible to a lot of social media users and can induce a certain bias. The researchers concluded that classifying the information availabale online into categories (good or bad) and drawing conclusions regarding the benefits or damaging side effects of vaccines could lead to a wrong result that would not reflect reality.

Otherwise stated, medical research validation regarding controversial health subjects cannot be based solely on social media due to factors like negative biases, social influence and medically unprepared people with a high visibility among social media users that spread non-scientific opinions.